Liberty's Blog

Osteen Case Falling Apart

Barbara Shedden changes her mind about the alleged assault. Leaving Sharon Brown holding the bag.

To the shock of even the attorney who called her to the stand, a witness in the trial of Victoria Osteen said Wednesday the Lakewood Church co-pastor did not touch a Continental Airlines flight attendant who has accused her of assault during a confrontation over liquid spilled on a first-class seat.

"It was a complete 180," said Reginald McKamie, who is representing flight attendant Sharon Brown in the civil suit.

McKamie was talking to state District Judge Patricia Hancock about the surprise testimony from plane passenger Barbara Shedden. McKamie said that Shedden told him a different story of what happened on Dec. 19, 2005, and that he expected her to say Osteen was "out of control."

McKamie didn't confront Shedden with alleged prior inconsistent statements while she testified, but tried to call a lawyer who helped interview her. He wanted that lawyer to testify about what Shedden said before coming to court.

Hancock denied the request.

Shedden's statements even surprised Osteen's attorneys, who are expected to repeat the redeeming testimony in closing arguments this morning while recapping an assault trial that before Wednesday had been rife with inflammatory accusations.

Contrary to earlier testimony, Shedden said Osteen pointed at Brown, but never touched her.

"I would have seen it," Shedden said.

"You can tell the jury that this never happened, can't you?" Osteen's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said.

"Yes."

To the shock of even the attorney who called her to the stand, a witness in the trial of Victoria Osteen said Wednesday the Lakewood Church co-pastor did not touch a Continental Airlines flight attendant who has accused her of assault during a confrontation over liquid spilled on a first-class seat.

"It was a complete 180," said Reginald McKamie, who is representing flight attendant Sharon Brown in the civil suit.

McKamie was talking to state District Judge Patricia Hancock about the surprise testimony from plane passenger Barbara Shedden. McKamie said that Shedden told him a different story of what happened on Dec. 19, 2005, and that he expected her to say Osteen was "out of control."

McKamie didn't confront Shedden with alleged prior inconsistent statements while she testified, but tried to call a lawyer who helped interview her. He wanted that lawyer to testify about what Shedden said before coming to court.

Hancock denied the request.

Shedden's statements even surprised Osteen's attorneys, who are expected to repeat the redeeming testimony in closing arguments this morning while recapping an assault trial that before Wednesday had been rife with inflammatory accusations.

Contrary to earlier testimony, Shedden said Osteen pointed at Brown, but never touched her.

"I would have seen it," Shedden said.

"You can tell the jury that this never happened, can't you?" Osteen's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said.

"Yes."

But Sheddon isn't the only one who has changed their mind. Apparently Sharon Brown doesn't believe anymore that Victoria Osteen caused her hemorroids.

In filing her lawsuit, Brown alleged that stress over the incident caused hemorrhoids, but said Wednesday that she no longer believes Osteen was the cause.

In the mean time I've heard no reports of Victoria apologizing to those on the plane that she had inconvenienced because of the flight delay. This stuff is better than anything on TV these days. You just can't make this stuff up.

Well, just maybe you can, it lools like maybe Sharon Brown made some of this up ..

posted by Liberty @ 12:15 PM